Hospital bag help!

[ExcitingTimes2021]

38 weeks so slightly late packing hospital bag. Basically I’m struggling to fit everything recommended in. I aiming to just have a small wheeling suitcase (hand luggage size) and separate wash bag and my partner can take his own bag. Just been trying to pack mine for the last few hours and I just can’t fit it all in. Making me think I’m taking too much but I’m following the list my midwife advised to take…. I don’t want to take a bigger bag coz they will think I’m moving in!!! X

Yes maybe when I separate babies things from my things I will have room for an extra nightie and knickers. The towel has got to stay though! I work for the nhs and I will happily use the towel for cleaning up blood and what not. But for a freshen up after I really want something softer, or if I get chance to use the pool! I have bought a cheap towel just for that reason. I feel awful when I have to give those horrible scratchy towels to my patients at work!

I just didn’t want to take too many bags when I’m not planning on staying. But I suppose one for me, one for baby and one for him doesn’t seem to bad, plus you can’t plan these things and you never know if you are going to need to stay in or not, or how many days!! X

I took a small bag for myself with all the above in, and a separate bag for the baby's bits (I used our changing bag as it was big).

Also pack more nappies and wipes in case you have to stay in! We stayed in a day extra than planned and almost ran out!

Not sure what the rules are with partners being allowed to leave the hospital and return after the birth now (I had a baby in full lockdown last year so he couldn't leave at all). But if he can then you can always pack extra stuff and leave it in the car and he can grab if you need it without you arriving with loads of stuff!

Right. I have repacked everything so I have my own bag which is the pink suitcase, split in to two halves for during and after labour. There is a lot more room now I have taken babies things out and managed to fit my toiletry bag in there! The black bag is babies changing bag with all her things in plus on everyone’s advise extra 10 nappies and muslins. Partner has his own bag with his bits in and plus snacks and drinks. Really hope I haven’t over packed as it’s been very stressful getting this all organised x

Ooops. Forgot to add the picture 😂😂😂

I think that looks very neat and organised, you definitely won't look silly anyway! Always better to have a bit too much stuff but I did make a point of trying to eat all the leftover snacks (I was nil by mouth for about 36 hours) so we didn't have to carry them home 😉

I found foam earplugs and a travel type eye mask essential to sleep in a noisy even dimly lit night time ward. I'm a light sleeper though. Surprising how many women snore! Then the babies cry and set each other off. The night shift pops round to some of the mothers. And there's usually one late owl with her cubicle lights full on. And i like the dark... earplugs & eyecovering were total savers!

Flip flops as the shower floors can be a bit grim!

@pinkteapots oh no. I’m really hoping for a birth centre so no overnight stay required! Hoping for the 6 hours discharge! X

Second the flip flops. Also I would have another pack (or two) of maternity pads in the car that your partner can bring in if you need to stay in hospital. I went through those very quickly in the first few days post birth.

I wanted a birth centre too but that quickly went out the window, I was looking forward to maybe getting in there this time around but it looks like ours will still be shut when I'm due and I possibly would have been eligible this time as well 😭 here's hoping you get your birth centre one though, our is/was amazing!

Maybe get another bag together to keep in the car for if you have to stay in? Sounds like you'd manage for an overnight anyway with what you've got, I remember sleeping like a log for the three hours being taken to the ward and waking up at 6am not remembering where I was or what was happening with someone standing at the side of my bed wanting to change my IV bag 😂 but might give peace of mind knowing you've got a 'hotel' bag (even if just a carrier bag of things to refill your labour bag) ready?

Yes I have packed two packs of Mat pads now. I have all the other stuff together in the nursery so if I need anything else I guess partner will be able to bring them in! Staying positive for the birth centre then home though x

Oh my gosh. It’s a good job I got everything repacked last night. Waters went this morning at 6am!! X

Good luck, OP!!!

Hi there, I would recommend things for your own comfort first and foremost in the hospital bag. Think about what would make you feel comfortable and if it’s big like your own pillow, stick it in the car. I had a bigger items in the car like my own (dark coloured) huge soft towel and breast feeding cushion to aid breast feeding. Anything that would help you feel calm/ more comfortable in labour? I used a flannel with drops of essential oil to sniff in early labour, TENS machine, energy drink and water bottle to sip - take a straw too, as makes it easier to sip. Calm music ready on your phone or device & ear phones plus chargers. Babies needs are very simple for clothing, nappies and wipes, couple of muslins, maybe get partner to pop babies things in his bag so you just have your stuff in your bag? Other things I would suggest like others said baby blanket and cardi in the car, don’t need bibs. Take extra pack of maternity pads ( you whip through them in first couple of days) and knickers. Medicine bag with pain killers, nipple cream , pile cream ( these blighters can surface after birth even if you’ve avoided them in pregnancy) I found the ‘Frida Mom’ maternity pad perineal liners v soothing and got a perineal washing bottle from boots - this was great for gentle washing and soothing the whole area with warm water (it’s a squeezy plastic bottle with an upside down nozzle so you can sit in loo and have a comfort wash) . I prefer soft washable breast pads to the plastic disposable ones, much softer on nips, these ones have been brilliant ( bamboo is v absorbant and super soft): littlelambnappies.com/products/bamboo-breast-pads?_pos=6&_sid=cc5a1c070&_ss=r
Flip flops yes absolutely and a plastic bag for dirty clothes.

Oh wow, just saw your update that your waters have gone! All the very best OP! 🙂

Oh amazing! Will keep an eye out for a lovely update 🙂